A week of firsts

To say that the first week here was busy is an understatement! It's been a busy mix of orientation, welcome parties, and finally getting adjusted. 

On Friday, Shannon and I slept in, and it was much needed. It didn't seem like we had trouble adjusting to the time change, but then on Friday, we just slept and slept. When we finally caught up on sleep, we had lunch, then went into the center of town. I was looking for a new camera so I would have on here. We finally found our way to the store, after much looking around and pulling out our map. The center of Sevilla is very big, with small streets and they aren't really labeled. Anyway, we found the store and I found a Canon camera I liked. So I went to purchase it, but the lady told me my credit card wasn't working. But, on the plus side, she told me my Spanish was good. So, after we left Corte Ingles (the store) we stopped by a coffee shop and then headed home. I called mom, and she called the bank and got my credit card situation all straightened out. Friday night there was a welcome party hosted by the school. We went to O'Neills Pub for unlimited beer and sangria for an hour! I was fantastic. Then we headed a few blocks away to a club. It was a super fun night and what a welcome to Seville! No nightlife in Sevilla starts until 11, so most people stay out pretty late here!

On Saturday, we slept until noon again, then went down to have lunch. We meant another one of Ana's daughters, Patricia. She had lunch with us, and she also complimented Shannon and I on our Spanish. I still get a little self conscious with my Spanish, but I have to remember that I'm still learning and I'm going to make mistakes, but at least I'm making an effort and it can only improve from here. After lunch, we went back into the center of town for some more shopping. We went back to Corte Ingles, and I got my camera since my card worked. After that, we went to a place called La Campana. It's pretty famous is Seville and Spain for having pastries and lots of other delicacies. We stopped in, and I ordered a pionono, which is a traditional spanish pastry, and let me tell you, it was delicious!

After we went to La Campana, on our way back to the bus stop, we passed an H&M, so we couldn't help but stop in. European fashion was calling!

This week was our first week of school and it went really well! I'm in 12 credit hours. I have two classes each day. I have advanced conversation and culture/society of Spain on Monday/Wednesday, and I have three cultures and comparative grammar on Tuesday/Thursday. I really enjoy my comparative grammar class. We've been analyzing grammatical differences between english and spanish, and I think that class is really going to help me improve my spanish. It will be hard, but I like it.

Everything has settled and now I'm really enjoying my time here and finally getting acclimated. I know the bus routes, where you can buy a euro beer for a dollar each night of the week, and I've made lots of new friends. So far, so good!

When is Spain

 I made it! Safe and sound I made it Seville in one piece. I've only been here 2 days and I love it already. It's a beautiful place, Spain. But first, the journey.

I left good old KCMO on Tuesday the 15th. I have to say, it was a teary eyed goodbye leaving my mom and dad. They've helped me so much with this trip and I'll be so happy when the get to come and visit me!

Mama, Papa, y yo en el aeropuerto

Anyway, I left KC around 1:20 and low and behold, two girls on my flight were going to Seville, with the same program. I took it as a good sign. We got into Chicago around 2:30, and I exchanged some money, found my gate, and sat and waited. When the plane finally pulled up, IT WAS HUGE. It was the biggest plane I've ever seen. I've only flown internationally once (it was to Guatemala) and that plane was small. But I boarded the plane in Chicago, and when I found my way to that seat, I saw was sitting next to a friend from Truman who was also on the program, but flew to Chicago from Saint Louis. We talked for the first hour or two of the flight, we had dinner, and then we both fell asleep. When we woke up, it was breakfast time. After breakfast we only had about 2-2 and a half hours left in the flight. I read my people magazine, listened to music, and soon, we were in Madrid! We landed in Madrid and a few of us headed for Seville all stayed together, simply because the Madrid airport was very very big. The had signs posted saying how far it would take you to walk to a certain gate, it was so big! We went through customs, found our gate, then sat and talked.

After boarding the flight to Seville, I was really to excited too do anything. When we finally arrived in Seville, we found our luggage, but someone stole the camera out of my luggage! I was livid. After finding our luggage, we were met at the airport by people from our school. We got taxis and found our way to our house. My first experience speaking Spanish was trying to give directions to my house (which I didn't really even know where it was) to the cab driver. Not an easy thing to do.

When I finally reached my house, I was greeted by Ana, my house mother. Ana is so kind and welcoming, and she gave me a kiss on both cheeks and showed me around the house. I met Manolo, her husband, Vicki, the maid, and the two dogs Cocoa and Wendy. I share a nice size room with my roommate Shannon. We have a bathroom right next door and a balcony with provides a beautiful view of the neighborhood.

A view from our bedroom window this morning

The view of Betis, the soccer stadium next door

Another view from the room

The balcony next to our room

Today we had orientation at school and a placement test. Our school is a 15 bus ride or 30 minute walk from our house. I think I'm going to rent a bike from Sevici, which is a service where you pay a fee for a year, and then the bike is free for the first 30 minutes every time you ride. It's like a euro for an hour or more. So, a nice way to see the city, get to school, and get some exercise. After our orientation, we walked home and had lunch with Ana. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day in Seville. It's almost always two courses, and dessert. Today we had a first dish of spinach, carrots, and garbonzo beans, all cooked together, and it was delicious! Next we had eggs stuffed with tuna and lettuce. Dessert here is always the fresh fruit. We had mandarin oranges, which are the sweetest I've ever had, pears, bananas and apples.

After lunch we talked for about Ana and Manolo's family for a while, hung out in our room, then headed back to school. We had a meeting with the academic advisor to go over our schedule. Then, about 5 of us just decided to walk and see what happened. We found stores, cafes and lots of other little gems. We were going to go our for tapas and drinks, we but we forgot night life doesn't start in Spain until 10 or 11 at night and it was only 8. So, we went to the park and took lots of pictures at the Plaza de Espana. 

A tower at the Plaza de Espana

So far, I've had an amazing time in Seville and I've only been here two days. Here's a few things about what I've learned so far.

1. Sevillanos provide a warm and welcoming community.
2. Everything is brighter here, the colors, the food, the people, everything.
3. Meal are MUCH different. Breakfast, at 8 or 9, is toast and coffee/hot chocolate/some other drink. Lunch is the big meal of the day, and it's not until 2 or 3. You plan your day around lunch. That's when you sit down and talk. Dinner is around 9 or 9:30 and is very light, a soup and sandwich, or an omelet.
4. To Europeans, personal space is everyone's space. When you meet, be prepared for a kiss or two.
5. In Sevilla, anything below 60 degrees is cold and cause for heavy coats and boots. It is winter here.

6. These people know how to live. Living is not about the past or future, it's about today.

Packing has never been my strong suit

So, here we are, less than 48 hours before I leave for my trip. And my packing skills, well, they leave some to be desired. When I start packing, I know my trip is going to become that much more real. However, right now, I'm content at home.

It does feels odd to think that all my friends have already left to go back to Truman. It feels different to not be going back to Truman this semester. Though I know I'll have a great time, I'll miss Truman too (as detailed in my last post).

This past week has been full of goodbyes. I've been trying to see everyone and visit with them a little before I leave. Lucky for me, Joey was able to come back and visit again one more time before I leave. He came on Thursday night and stayed until this morning. I am so lucky to have someone so wonderful in my life. While he was here, we got to go out to dinner with his brother and sister in law who were also in town, visit with my family, and just spend some time together. This morning, saying goodbye to him was extremely hard. In the almost year and half we've been together, the longest we've gone without seeing each other is 3 weeks to a month. Now, it's going to be almost 7 months until I see him again. Needless to say, this morning was full of a lot of hugs, tears, and I'll miss you's. Lucky for me, I had my mom to turn to after he had gone. Having a mom you can talk to be about anything is really a blessing and I don't know where I'd be without her.

However, the day turned around quickly because my mom and I went shopping for my trip. Then, we got to go see Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt Cindy, Aunt Gina, and Uncle Jerry. Uncle Jerry made some delicious sangria (I was lucky enough to get a whole lunch the day before, which was wonderful). After a glass or two (or three or four....) it was time to say goodbye to everyone. This will be the longest I'll have been away from my family.

With the trip coming up so quickly, I've been a flood of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, worrying about homesickness.  Though I'm nervous, I'm excited to be out on my own, thrown into a new culture. It will be a very trying experience, and I know I'll gain a lot while there.

If anything, the one thing I learned over the past few months is how much of a help my parents are. I really don't know what I would do without them. I know this trip wouldn't be possible without them. They have always supported me and I don't know if I'll ever be able to find the words to express to them how thankful I am. I sure am thankful that both of them will be there to see my off when I go to the airport on Tuesday.

Well, my next post is probably going to be from Seville. Once you see that, you all will know I'm safe!

Hasta luego!!

Time flies...

when you're preparing for a semester abroad! I thought I'd make a blog so everyone could follow my adventures through Seville this spring. I'll try and keep it updated as regularly as I can (no promises though), and post about all of the traveling, classes, and crazy adventures I'm having.

Planning this trip was a whole semester in the making (a few years if you count my wishful thinking and dreaming). I applied and was accepted to the program in the end of October, and since then it's been a whirlwind of paperwork, legal forms (mom and I made a trip to Chicago just for one part of the paperwork, but that story is worth a whole other post, at least), and jitters. Truman helped me the best that they could (my program is run out of a school in Florida, so it was a lot of emailing, mailing, and working via the study abroad office and Truman). Now that everything has been finalized and paid, it seems so much more real! The month at home I have off now has been much needed though.

As excited as I am, I really will miss Truman while I'm gone. I've had some amazing times up at school. I've made some incredible friends and have memories that will last a lifetime. 

APO was one the of the best decisions I made at Truman.

Also, I love Truman's campus. To me, it's one of most beautiful campuses there is. Red brick pathways, a grassy quad, trees everywhere. To me, it's just what a campus is supposed to look like. Wouldn't you agree?

Anyway, ever since I got home from school 3 weeks ago, it's been a blur of holiday madness, mixed with getting everything ready, saying goodbyes, etc. Luckily, I had Joey to help me with a lot of things. Since I was living in the dorms for the fall, I had to move EVERYTHING out of my dorm in case my roommates get someone new in the room. You really don't know how hard it to move everything you have until you have to do it. Anyway, I finished my finals on Friday, Mom and Dad came up to meet me, and we moved everything home. We had my dad's truck and Joey's truck to help move everything home.

 Joey stayed with us for a few days then headed home to Washington, only after getting another taste of St. Joe. Christmas break was also full of family and good food. I got to pick Kate and the kids up at the airport and spend a lot of great time with Lucy and Ellie. Christmas came and passed, and was another good holiday season. Here's a couple of pics to sum my wonderful holiday season and family.

Me with Kate, Ellie, Mom and Kevo

Ellie and I sure bonded this break. She'll always be my baby.

Our usual family picture after mass (we missed you Mary!)

After a great break at home, I was able to go to Washington to visit Joey. I left on Saturday and had a nice couple days with his family. We spent Sunday with his Nana and lots of family for their Christmas party. We spent time talking, playing cards, and just getting to know one another. Everyone was very welcoming and I'm excited to get to see them all again. Joey and I also got to spend New Years with a lot of our friends from school. Since then, we've been to the zoo, the history museum, spent time with Joey's brothers and sisters-in-law, and I'll head back home tomorrow.

Once back home, the madness kicks into high gear as I get ready to go to Spain. I have my visa, my plane ticket, now, I have to pack. How is a girl supposed to live off of two suitcases for 4 months. TWO SUITCASES I TELL YA! It will definitely be a learning experience. Over the past week, I've been receiving emails telling my about my host family, the food in Spain, arrival info, etc. As of now, I know I am living in a very nice house with a woman named Ana and her family. I am very excited to get to meet them, and I even have a nice present (thanks mom) to give to them. I have one roommate, and hopefully, we'll become good friends, walk to class together, travel together, and just make the most of out time there. 

When I arrive, there will be 60 degree weather and a big adventure that greets me! Wish me luck! 

Adios for now